While you were gone, My childhood dog died. I wept for both of you, And I felt like a corpse. While you were gone,

Like Augustus, I fear oblivion When I should pass.

Nights of chuckling After no jokes And Dancing without nerves Become me

The tissues know something. Even the mirror knows. My music knows it And especially my pillow. My books can see it

The wind Loves To boast of Fickle love, But my

I died on Tuesday. My soul floated up Above my milky corpse, And I smiled. I saw my family,

A tree fell in the park last night… I didn’t hear it go. The innards smelled of peppermint, And I felt the crumbling dirt Turn into ash in my hand.

You don’t ask me to speak. You never expect my opinion. I was your second child In a runaway marriage. I suppose I loved you once,

I had no right To fall in love with you. All those times I promised you That I’d never fall in love again Were lies because I fell in love…

I came back from a mortal hell, But on my way home, I saw no white god, And I saw no golden spirit, And I saw no true son.

Am I incurable? It seems so. I’m an incorrigible invalid Of the heart.

Mom, I miss you, And I’m miserable. I miss grandma, And I’m so lonely. I miss being a kid.

There’s always a morning, But there’s the night, too. Every faith has a savior, But the devil always follows suit. There will be spring,

Oh, such a sweet fool. I once thought love Was reigning savior. So, so foolish. I once believed love

I cannot bring myself to cry. I can’t decide if this is a curse Or a blessing.